Seating Depth

[dak0ta]

Hi,

So I was loading 6.5x55 Swedish on the weekend into neck sized cases using 140 gr Hornady SST bullets.

I accidentally did not seat them deep enough (3.150'' Max overall cart length), so they don't feed into the magazine.

Can I readjust my seating die and just push the bullet down further to alleviate this problem? Do I need to reach 3.150'' or should I just aim to have the cartridges feed reliably?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

They have to feed and chamber to be of any use. Start by seating a bullet (no crimp) in an empty case (no primer or powder) that will fit in the magazine and feed. After you pass that test drop the blank round into the chamber. It needs to seat without assistance. If needed, gradually set the bullet deeper until it drops into the chamber. That establishes the oal for that bullet profile.

If you put a mild crimp on your rounds you should be able to set them to the new oal.

 

[gamestalker]

No problem, just seat them to where you need them to facilitate proper mag. fit and reliable feeding. But once you've determined what the functional OAL is, write it down so you don't have to recalibrate your seating die every time you load for that rifle.

And I'm not familiar with the 6.5x55 Swede, but if it isn't a tubular fed magazine, there is absolutely no need to crimp them. And since your using a neck die, I'm assuming you are striving for optimum case life, as well, as enhanced chamber fit. So crimping would not optimize case life any, and it might even distort the shoulders, being that crimping bottle necks can often be a less than simple process, often resulting in buckled or collapsed shoulders on the first few attempts.

GS

 

[USSR]

Can I readjust my seating die and just push the bullet down further to alleviate this problem?

Yep!

Don

 

[Comrade Mike]

Don't get too worried with seating depth for the 6.5x55. The guns have notoriously long throats and you'll likely run out of case neck before you even touch the rifling. I have a couple swedes myself and my best advice is to load them as long as the magazine can take and use any powder you want as long as its reloader 22.

Any questions about the swedes feel free to drop me a PM. I've had a lot of success with them.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Don't get too worried with seating depth for the 6.5x55. The guns have notoriously long throats and you'll likely run out of case neck before you even touch the rifling. I have a couple swedes myself and my best advice is to load them as long as the magazine can take and use any powder you want as long as its reloader 22.

Any questions about the swedes feel free to drop me a PM. I've had a lot of success with them.

Excuse me, let me amend that by saying don't get too worried about seating depths for the Swedish Mauser.

 

[dak0ta]

I'm using a commercial modern action, not a M96. It's a BSA CF2, which is similar to a SAKO Finnbear.

Anyways, yes I'm going to just seat it enough so that the bullets fit in the magazine and then take a thou off so it feed reliable. Long throats amen!

I used RL-22, started with 44.5, then 45, and then 45.5.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Can I readjust my seating die and just push the bullet down further to alleviate this problem?

Absolutely. I would say that we have all had to do that at some time or another.

Do I need to reach 3.150'' or should I just aim to have the cartridges feed reliably?

As long as it feeds reliably you should be good. Many people pay little or no attention to published max OAL and just seat as close to the lands as they can.

However, OAL isn't the only thing that can cause a round to not chamber. I had issues when I first started reloading because I didn't trim. That will also cause it if its bad enough.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Once I get the length established with my blank it goes in my box. Then I use the blank to set the dies the next time.

I tried seating a loaded Swede once. She missed the chair!

 

[Comrade Mike]

Once I get the length established with my blank it goes in my box. Then I use the blank to set the dies the next time.

I tried seating a loaded Swede once. She missed the chair!

Get yourself a comparator and stop making dummy rounds, its worth it. I used to do the same thing, now all my dummies are in a dusty box under my bench.